What was GM thinking?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 11-09-2008
Posts: 196
From: Kentucky
Much has been said about the balance of the price-quality.
Producer, able to find a middle ground, condemning yourself for success.
I think GM has done this (at least - came close) in their model HHR. Shortcomings exist, but not many and they (very important!) are inexpensive to repair.
The success of the vehicle is confirmed attention from American car rental companies. These guys know how to count money. I'm sure a lot of small US businesses use the HHR in their commercial traffic.
At the same time I am respectful to the feelings of the owner, dissatisfied with the quality of HHR. HHR - a real beauty, it is impossible not to love. But the human heart comes in the gloom on the understanding that the object of his love is not perfect and needs some indulgence.
Producer, able to find a middle ground, condemning yourself for success.
I think GM has done this (at least - came close) in their model HHR. Shortcomings exist, but not many and they (very important!) are inexpensive to repair.
The success of the vehicle is confirmed attention from American car rental companies. These guys know how to count money. I'm sure a lot of small US businesses use the HHR in their commercial traffic.
At the same time I am respectful to the feelings of the owner, dissatisfied with the quality of HHR. HHR - a real beauty, it is impossible not to love. But the human heart comes in the gloom on the understanding that the object of his love is not perfect and needs some indulgence.
I love my car, not the company that built it.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-04-2010
Posts: 458
From: SE Wisconsin
I love my HHR but its getting more and more obvious that GM screwed up royal on the suspension..... weak shocks, pathetic sway bar bushings and links, weak wheel bearings, big rims with rock hard rubber band tires....this car was made to vibrate itself into pieces.
I am getting so tired of the clunks, vibration and road noise....
I am getting so tired of the clunks, vibration and road noise....
I got slightly larger sidewalls when I got wheels(Hankook v12 on 17s) and they are much smoother and quieter compared to the Good Years that are on the stock rims(16s).
I also had to replace an end link early on as one developed play and most recently control arm bushings, but otherwise it has held up pretty good so far and mine was born on 01/06. I am not sure if anything was replaced prior, but I would guess not as it only had 35k miles on it.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-24-2008
Posts: 725
From: USA
I don't see how you can say you love your HHR and call it it a piece of crap in the same post.
As I stated before, the HHR is a solid car, well designed and hit a nice marketing segment. I would buy another one in an instant if I hadn't already owned one and wanted a change of scenery in looks.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-24-2008
Posts: 725
From: USA
Yes, excellent book that gives a nice picture of the automobile industry - although just a tad anti-foreign competition.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-26-2006
Posts: 1,876
From: San Bernardino, California
Well, I also know who Bob Luce is and I just couldn't see him writing a book that had anything to do with GM or the UAW. As far as another HHR? This will be our last one. We will keep it for maybe one more year if it makes it and so far, there's no reason to think that it won't. It's done it's job just fine but they really didn't change enough over the years for me to want a new one.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-24-2008
Posts: 725
From: USA
X2 - I found myself looking at some good deals on E-bay last night and as stated before, I can't find another car with as perfect storage, perfect size, good mileage, etc. It is just that I've had the same style for the past four years and the auto gurus have done a great job into convincing us that we need style changes. But....what to buy.... I want a 2012 Beetle but it is our main car and I need a bit more storage for vacations. Heart says Beetle, brain says something HHRish.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-06-2008
Posts: 1,761
From: Grand Haven, MI
I have 2 HHRs now, and had a 3rd that I traded for the SS. The reason I bought them was the value per dollar, good fuel economy and looks.
My 07 has had to have a fair amout of suspension work; sway bar links under warranty and then sway bar links again on my dime at about 65K miles (I used the moog greasable so these should last the life of the car), and just had a new wheel bearing on the passengers side at 69K miles, but that was covered under the drivetrain warranty. So, with almost 70K miles on it, I have spent about $50 and 2 hours of my own time.... Not really that bad.
My 07 has had to have a fair amout of suspension work; sway bar links under warranty and then sway bar links again on my dime at about 65K miles (I used the moog greasable so these should last the life of the car), and just had a new wheel bearing on the passengers side at 69K miles, but that was covered under the drivetrain warranty. So, with almost 70K miles on it, I have spent about $50 and 2 hours of my own time.... Not really that bad.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 11-09-2008
Posts: 196
From: Kentucky
So what is your first order of business as far as mods to make the ride quality better?
I got slightly larger sidewalls when I got wheels(Hankook v12 on 17s) and they are much smoother and quieter compared to the Good Years that are on the stock rims(16s).
I also had to replace an end link early on as one developed play and most recently control arm bushings, but otherwise it has held up pretty good so far and mine was born on 01/06. I am not sure if anything was replaced prior, but I would guess not as it only had 35k miles on it.
I got slightly larger sidewalls when I got wheels(Hankook v12 on 17s) and they are much smoother and quieter compared to the Good Years that are on the stock rims(16s).
I also had to replace an end link early on as one developed play and most recently control arm bushings, but otherwise it has held up pretty good so far and mine was born on 01/06. I am not sure if anything was replaced prior, but I would guess not as it only had 35k miles on it.
Also looking into EBC brake stuff. And some cushier shocks.
Soon gonna strip interior down and plaster on some sound deadening material.